Writing

Art or Craft?

Talent or Skill?

Writers

• Intellectual Giants

Genres

• Music

Genres

• Movies

Genres

• Literature

Fairy Tales

• Most easily recognized structure

Essays

• Necessary Skill

3 Necessary Components

1. Structure

2. Practice

3. Imagination

Vocabulary Necessary ???abase v. To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade. abbess n. The lady superior of a nunnery. abbey n. The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns. abbot n. The superior of a community of monks. abdicate v. To give up (royal power or the like). abdominal n. Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen. abduction n. A carrying away of a person against his will, abed adv. In bed; on a bed. aberration n. Deviation from a right, customary abet v. To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense). abeyance n. A state of suspension or temporary inaction. abhorrence n. The act of detesting extremely. abhorrent adj. Very repugnant; hateful. abidance n. An abiding. abject adj. Sunk to a low condition. abjure v. To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath.

5 Paragraph Essay Format

1. Introduction

2. Body

3. Body

4. Body

5. Conclusion

Principles

Simplicity

Clarity

Organization

Introduction

1. General Introduction

2. Specific Introduction

3. Rewriting the Question

4. Thesis Statement

Knowing What the Point Is

Question: The United States has had many different leaders. People would argue that leaders influence not only politics, but economics as well. What do you believe is the cause of the current economic state in America?

Getting to the Point

Question: The United States has had many different leaders. People would argue that leaders influence not only politics, but economics as well. What do you believe is the cause of the current economic state in America?

Thesis Statement

• Thesis vs. Dissertation

Thesis: Your POV

• I believe ______ because _____, _____

and _______.

3 Reasons

1. _______

2. ________

3. _______

Body Paragraph

1. Topic Statement

2. Example

3. Example

4. Compare and Contrast

Conclusion

1. Rewrite 1st sentence of Introductory Paragraph

2. Rewrite 2nd sentence of Introductory Paragraph

3. Rewrite Thesis Statement

4. Give your Opinion

Sentence Types

• Simple (Statement, Question or Exclamatory)

• Compound (2 Independent Clauses)

• Complex (1 Independent and 1 dependent Clause)

• Compound/Complex (2 or more independent Clauses and 1 Dependent Clause)

Simple Sentence

• Swimming in the ocean can be dangerous.

• Can swimming in the ocean be dangerous?

• Swimming in the ocean can be dangerous!

Compound Sentence

• Swimming in the ocean can be dangerous; you might drown.

[2 separate clauses that can stand alone]

Complex Sentence

• Although many people do it, swimming in the ocean can be dangerous.

[An independent clause that can stand alone and a dependent clause that cannot stand alone.]

Compound/Complex Sentence

• Although many people do it, swimming in the ocean can be dangerous; you might drown.

[2 or more independent clauses and 1 dependent clause]

Modifying Phrases in a Sentence

• Using Initial Modifiers: – Dependent Clause: Although she wasn't tired, Maria went to sleep. – Infinitive Phrase: To please her mother, Maria went to sleep. – Adverb: Quickly and quietly, Maria went to sleep. – Participial Phrase: Hoping to feel better, Maria went to sleep.

• Using Mid-Sentence Modifiers: – Appositive: Maria, an obedient child, went to sleep. – Participial Phrase: Maria, hoping to catch up on her rest, went to sleep.

• Using Terminal Modifiers: – Present Participial Phrase: Maria went to sleep, hoping to please her mother. – Past Participial Phrase/Adjectival Phrase: Maria went to sleep, lulled by music. – Maria went to sleep, awakening to scary dreams, relieved when it was morning.

• Combining Modifiers: – Quickly and quietly, Maria, a young girl, went to sleep hoping to please her mom.